20 Players on the Rise in Test Cricket in 2014

20 Players on the Rise in Test Cricket in 2014

As Test cricket returns to prominence in the wake of the recent ICC World Twenty20 and 2014 Indian Premier League season, it's an apt moment to examine some of the format's emerging stars.

Interestingly, periods of transition have either ended or are just beginning for a vast array of the world's Test outfits, meaning the rise of new talents is inevitable.

England, of course, are the outfit enduring the most notable changes after a torrid time in Australia during the winter.

But changes to the international landscape keep coming.

From South Africa's leadership handover to the new generations emerging in India and New Zealand—not forgetting the next era that awaits Sri Lanka—Test cricket is ready to be seized by a collection of rising players.

Across the following slides, we examine those who are beginning to climb the game's pecking order.

Jimmy Neesham

Two Tests, two hundreds: That's where Jimmy Neesham's record stands at present.

New Zealand will be hoping for more of the same.

Indeed, as a lower-order batsman, the left-hander has already shown his ability to take matches away from the opposition, crunching quick centuries against both India and the West Indies this year.

And although the 23-year-old's bowling performances haven't been to the same standard, his first-class average of 32.51 suggests he has the capacity to become an extremely useful component of a revitalised Kiwi side.

James Pattinson

James Pattinson's Test career was temporarily stalled in 2013 by a back injury, but the aggressive right-arm seamer appears set for an extended run in Michael Clarke's Australian outfit.

Selected to replace the tiring Peter Siddle for Australia's third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, Pattinson provided the high-energy, hostile impact that was needed at the conclusion of a long summer.

Also useful with the bat, the 24-year-old Victorian will help to relieve the wicket-taking burden from Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult has been a player on the rise since the beginning of 2013 and doesn't look ready to slow down anytime soon.

With superb series against England, West Indies and India since the middle of last year, the left-armer has risen to prominence in a New Zealand side that finally appears set to challenge the game's heavyweights.

Along with the contrasting angle provided by his left arm, Boult's control of swing and seam is exemplary, which should see him thrive in most arenas outside the subcontinent.

Nathan Lyon

Australia's spinning merry-go-round became almost comical in the years after Shane Warne's retirement in 2007.

But after trialling almost every slow bowler in the country to some extent, off-spinner Nathan Lyon has settled nicely into the role for the world's No. 1 side.

While not prolific, the 26-year-old has perfectly complemented the brazen hubris exuded by the other members of Australia's attack, becoming the man who regularly captures a key wicket while drying up the scoring.

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes' rapid emergence that began in Australia has been temporarily put on hold by injury, but expect the aggressive all-rounder to continue his impressive rise as 2014 wears on.

With the bat in hand, the 23-year-old looks to have the technical ability and temperament to become a world-class all-rounder, while his bowling has already proven itself to be of international standard.

In Stokes, England may just have their finest all-rounder since Andrew Flintoff.

Mohammed Shami

Being a seamer in India isn't easy. Nor would it be fun. On desolate pitches under the baking Indian sun, bowling with the seam up in that part of the world is the least enviable job in cricket.

Yet shouldering that challenge impressively is Mohammed Shami.

After bursting onto the scene with blistering spells against the West Indies, the right-armer has entrenched himself in his national side with strong follow-up performances in South Africa and New Zealand.

With the capacity to reverse-swing the ball at good pace, Shami is perhaps the brightest fast-bowling talent to emerge from India since Zaheer Khan.

Junaid Khan

Pakistan's Junaid Khan has been on a steady rise since his Test debut in 2011, but more exciting times await the talented left-armer as he prepares to take on the No. 1-ranked Australia in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

Perhaps what is most impressive about Junaid in his endurance. Regularly one to bowl 50 overs or more across a Test, the 24-year-old has rapidly become Misbah-ul-Haq's most reliable seamer.

Like the previously mentioned Trent Boult, the Pakistani's unique angle as a left-armer creates headaches for batsmen which combined with his superb control of swing and seam has helped Junaid to rise up Test cricket's pecking order.

Tom Latham

Yet another New Zealander to feature on this list, Tom Latham has quickly impressed at the top of the Kiwi order in his three Tests to date.

With three consecutive scores of 73 or more against the West Indies, the young left-hander looks to have secured his position at the top of the order in Brendon McCullum's team.

An aggressive shot-maker, Latham is also the owner of a strong first-class record despite his tender years, making his successful entrance to Test cricket hardly surprising in a rising New Zealand outfit.

Joe Root

After yo-yoing up and down the order, Joe Root may have just found his position in this England line-up. Or perhaps he should just bat at Lord's.

Either way, the talented 23-year-old is undoubtedly being marked as a key figure in England's future, and, provided his current trajectory continues, could one day inherit the leadership from Alastair Cook.

Certainly, his smooth double century against Sri Lanka last week indicated that Root remains one of Test cricket's brightest prospects, despite enduring a difficult time in Australia last winter.